What is the last Macbookpro I can add RAM + SSD to?

[mrk123]

My 2011 MBP 13 inch is on its way out. Maybe. Just getting really buggy and cursor skipping across screen.

2011. 13 inch. Upgraded 16gb ram. 1tb SSD. i5 processor.

It’s probably able to be fixed but o don’t know what it causing this.

I desperately need to get a new one.

What is the last MBP I can open up and upgrad the ram and HDrive? I know this not an issue on newer m1 macs but I don’t have £1500 bucks spare.
Will buy used.

I’d like a 15 inch also. Maybe a 2015/16?
What is the last year I can successfully upgrade ram and SSD??

Any tips or recommendations. ?

 

[Alpha Centauri]

I'm not sure but buying another used Intel machine and sourcing the RAM is surely false economy. Have you considered looking at a used M1 MBP?

I'm typing this on a 2009 MBP and recent replacement of thermal paste has improved things but then I also have a M2 MBP.

 

[MacPeasant123]

As far as I know, the 2012 non-retina MacBook Pro was the last one in which you could upgrade both RAM and the storage, and I did that on mine.

1) I believe starting from the retina MacBooks (2012 onwards), the RAM was soldered on so you can't upgrade that.

2) I think from 2013-2015 MacBook Pros, you can upgrade the SSD storage if you buy the right convertor.

I think after 2015, everything is soldered on, so you'd need soldering skills and the proper equipment to replace either, which isn't for the faint of heart...

I think you're better off looking for a cheap M1 MacBook that fits your needs.

 

[mrk123]

I’d hate to get a 2016 MBP and then it’s slow as hell
Cause I’m stuck with 8gb ram and 256gb.
What year was last retina?
Cheapest m1 is £800+. Big.

Do you think there’s anything I can do just for now to speed my 2011 up?

 

[zgagato]

Forget about 2016-2019 macbooks. They have sa many faults. Screen cables, those damn keyboards - bleh.
The last mbp you could upgrade storage was 2017 non touchbar usb c only 2 port one.
It has a funky ssd but you can get a cheap adapter and small size ssd. but its not worth it.
If you want intel get a 2015 15" mbp and get a 2 tb ssd nvme drive inside.
If intel is not a requirement get a refurb m2 air 13 or 15". Just 16 gb of ram is a must. maybe a 24 gb ram with 1 TB SSD will be at a nice priz
e?

 

[Fishrrman]

OP:

For all practical purposes, it's time to replace a 2011 MBP.

Having said that, you have to accept the reality that memory and drive "upgrades" on new (and recent) Mac laptops are essentially IMPOSSIBLE.

If you can't live with that, perhaps it's time to consider windows.

Otherwise, when buying a new MacBook (and deciding on how much RAM to get, and how large an SSD)...

 

[Macdctr]

I’d hate to get a 2016 MBP and then it’s slow as hell
Cause I’m stuck with 8gb ram and 256gb.
What year was last retina?
Cheapest m1 is £800+. Big.

Do you think there’s anything I can do just for now to speed my 2011 up?

I recently picked up a used Mid 2015 15-inch MacBook Pro (2.5GHz quad i7 / 16GB RAM / dual graphics), picked up a new 2TB Black Western Digital SN770 storage drive and Syntech adapter. I then installed MacOS 14.4.1 Sonoma using Open Core Legacy Patcher 1.5.0n which the laptop has been running great with. Best part is that I paid $177 for the MacBook Pro, $150 for the Western Digital 2TB storage drive, and $20 for the Syntech drive adapter card.

The anti glare coating on my new MBP is pristine as well as the condition of the rest of the laptop. I purchased mine from GreenCitizen on eBay. With my current setup, I will be able to use this laptop for many years to come.

One thing to be aware of is Apple will soon cease support for all Intel machines as they go all in with their Silicone processing computers but at least for now you can pick up a decent Intel machine like the one I got and not spend over $500 and still run Apple's latest MacOS

EDIT: I have since updated the MacOS to 14.5 on my 2015 MBP

 

[macguru9999]

2015 MBP 8gb ram fixed (some are 16gb), ssd upgradeable. monterey os. not bad. i have a 1tb nvme and adapter in mine..... but i also have an m1 pro mbp 16/1t...

 

[Macdctr]

My current setup with my newly acquired Mid 2015 15-inch MBP with an external 4k 15-inch display connected. The cooling fans are not running on high speed and are barely noticeable. Pretty sweet setup and I have no delays in performance so you can still use these older laptops running current MacOS without any issues.

 

[MrGimper]

If you want bang for buck on intel, get a 16" 2019. Probably get a decent enough spec to not need to upgrade anything.